Hi, my hubby & I are looking to buy a new build 3 bed semi in a new development in north Dublin. It comes with a builders finish so need to buy all our own appliances plus floor it throughout. It comes with kitchen units plus all bathrooms tiled & fitted already. What is the least we could spend to kit it out properly. Thanks!

If you are getting wood flooring, go to a large builders providers. They are usually cheaper but good quality. Carpet upstairs might be expensive. However, Do not be tempted to save a few hundred by not putting down under lay. My brother did and the luxury just isn't there And he rregrets it.

I have a dfs large corner sofa in dark grey and I'm very happy with it. 2 years down the line. I was broke moving in so did get it interest free credit. My kids are dragging the cushions off and jumping on it and it still looks great. I paid 1k for it. It is very comfortable. I had expensive sofas that I bought when I was younger, they are structurally very sound but look a bit shabby, I have them in the play room.

Because your kitchen and bathrooms are complete, I think 10 k isn't too bad. You can build it up over time. You're never so broke as when you move into a new house! The very best of luck!

I spent a lot on my flooring solid oak and 8 yrs later still looks brand new.got an italsofa leather couch and still like new even with the baby wipe clean it gets most days. My brother moved into his house at same time bought a cheap leather look couch and was replaced 2 yrs later. They are on their third couch now

Hi vinoqueeno it is v hard to estimate prices for example u coukd put down solid oak flooring v lino. Carpets for stairs and landing can be got for 200 but better quality is upwards of 500. Same applies for couch or kitchen table. Best thing is to work out ur budget and work around that. Worth remembering better quality will last longer and u wont be replacing in 2or 3 yrs

Check stores for ex display appliances or end of line etc. also Dimpco on the old airport road have a sales room where they sell surplus stock (they are a wholesaler) you'll definitely get good appliances there and they're at wholesale price, won't be as much choice as a retail store but excellent value and definitely worth a look. Murphys liquidators have a few units nationwide (I follow them on FB) and always have great value in suites and other furniture. It's just what they have in stock on any given day though, you can't order things in advance. Agree that IKEA is excellent too, we've always found their furniture to be long lasting and if your DH is handy then I'd definitely recommend looking there. They do kitchen appliances too, and might do a deal with you if you're buying a few big ticket items.

Thanks so much for the replies, all great advice, we are lucky to live near IKEA so can go there for basic utensils etc. My hubby would do the painting & lighting. We were hoping to spend 10k in total would that be unrealistic?

Will you have to kit out all the bedrooms straight away? We spent approx €2500 flooring a 3 bed detached house at the height of the boom, although this was down the country. Have a look on furniture websites to get an idea of prices. We went to Ikea for spare bedroom furniture (less than €500), kitchen utensils, some soft furnishings etc. make a list of what you need (rather than what you want) and price each thing to give you an idea.

Spend money on furniture that will be well used and not replaced too often e.g. Couch, table and chairs etc.

Look around on Facebook for "clearance warehouses" they have furniture like sofas/table and chairs/beds etc, If you will be living there and getting carpet anywhere I highly recommend getting double underlay and a good thick pile carpet, totally worth it..for that luxurious barefoot on squishy carpet feel! There are sales all the time in Furniture / flooring places and for little bits and bobs check woodies/penneys/local garden and home stores.